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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Special Education Schools in Michigan

11 Colleges in the United States
476 Special Education Degrees Awarded
$50,328 Avg Early-Career Salary

Special Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools to find the best for special education students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Special Education in Michigan

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the special education degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Special Education

1
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Our analysis ranked Michigan State University the best school in the country for a degree in special education. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 76 special education students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Michigan State University earn around $57,308 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Michigan State University

2
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI

Hope College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Hope College awarded about 18 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $48,630 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,334 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Hope College

3

Students looking for a strong special education program will find one at Grand Valley State University, which ranked #3. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 49 special education degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $53,335 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,350. Get the full special education details for Grand Valley State University

4
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #4 spot this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. There were roughly 27 special education students who graduated with this degree at Oakland University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $61,223. Students borrow a median of $25,972 to complete this degree. Get the full special education details for Oakland University

5
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in special education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. Central Michigan University graduates 59% of students within six years. Central Michigan University awarded about 53 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Central Michigan University earn around $46,522 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Central Michigan University

6

Northern Michigan University placed #6 among the best special education schools. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 24 special education students who graduated with this degree at Northern Michigan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $40,508. Typical student debt for the program is $22,608. See the full special education program report for Northern Michigan University

7

Wayne State University came in at #7 for special education this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 special education students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $51,917 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $43,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the special education program at Wayne State University

8
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University earned the #8 position for special education this year. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 special education degrees were awarded at Saginaw Valley State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the special education program make about $48,209 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,873 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Saginaw Valley State University

9

Western Michigan University placed #9 among the best special education schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Western Michigan University graduates 58% of students within six years. About 67 special education degrees were awarded at Western Michigan University in the most recent year. Special Education graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $51,967 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Read more about the special education program at Western Michigan University

10

Eastern Michigan University earned the #10 position for special education this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Eastern Michigan University awarded about 74 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their special education degree from Eastern Michigan University earn around $50,476 in the first couple years of their career. Eastern Michigan University graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. See the full special education program report for Eastern Michigan University

11
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College earned the #11 position for special education this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 12 special education students who graduated with this degree at Oakland Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the special education program make about $43,205 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in special education from Oakland Community College

12
Spring Arbor University crest
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI

Spring Arbor University came in at #12 for special education this year. Set in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Spring Arbor University awarded about 41 special education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, special education degree recipients from Spring Arbor University generally make around $50,637. Students borrow a median of $29,750 to complete this degree. See the full special education program report for Spring Arbor University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 26 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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